Steelmaker Nucor profit falls 44%

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Nucor said its fourth-quarter earnings tumbled 44 percent, as the steelmaker dealt with soft demand for construction products and steel for automobiles. The company operates a mini-mill in Decatur.

Earnings for the three-month period ended Dec. 31 fell to $58.9 million. The company earned $105.9 million during the same period last year.